By Samuel Akapule
Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, the Government Statistician, stressed the need for effective collaboration
between the Ghana Statistical Service and universities to help address the developmental challenges facing the country.
The government statistician pointed out that the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) was not only established to serve the government alone, but also to work with other stakeholders to help fight corruption and ensure accountability and transparency.
He said there was a revolutionary change and explained that in this context GSS generated rich data and
developed many data applications including GSS Stats Bank online that contained data relevant to solving
societal problems.
Professor Annim made the call on October 4, 2024, when the Ghana Statistical Service, in collaboration with the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region, organized a programme, dubbed the ‘Statistical Data Competition-Hackathon 2024’ at Sumbrungu, the main campus of the University.
The hackathon aimed to raise awareness of StatsBank’s GSS and promote the use of census data for policy-relevant research.
Teams were required to compete for 36 hours to develop an innovative statistical product, primarily using
census data from StatsBank.
Based on the empowerment, BTU students who were put into groups namely team Lucky, Fishe, Golsa,
Akukula and Jaguar to compete for the occasion, undertook research in the areas of Consumer/Producer
Index, Northern Poverty Hot Spots, Neonatal Mortality, Drought in the North and Gender Equality, Using
the Ghana Statistical Service Online Database. They presented products during the competition session.
The occasion, themed ‘Unlocking the Potential of Data: Innovate for Impact’, also attracted Heads of
Departments, Lecturers, Students, Assembly Members, Chiefs and people from the area.
Professor Annim stated that there are over 300 million unique statistics generated by the GSS that could be harnessed and supplemented with other research sources and urged lecturers in the various Universities in the country to make adequate use of them to promote development.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Benjamin Apam, Regional Focal Person for Hackathon 2024, explained that the
purpose of the Hackathon was not just competition, but a collaborative and learning platform where students had the opportunity to deeply engage with GSS StatsBank, mentors, their fellow students from different fields, as well as GSS staff.
According to him, through the Statistical Data-Hackathon Competition, students explored how integrated
datasets could be harnessed to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world today.
He expressed his joy at the products developed by the students and pointed out that they have the potential to contribute to sustainable development.
The winners, first and second runners-up were Golsa, Akukula and Jaguar respectively.
GSS gave them certificates and GH₵5,000.00, GH₵3,000.00 and GH₵2,000.00 respectively and they will
represent the University at all the Technical Universities Hackathon at the national level competition.
Also present was the Chairman of the GSS Board, Dr. Grace Badiako.
Competitors of BTU at the ceremony